On Saturday September 29, 2018 the Eastern Pike Regional Police Department along side the Pike County Opioid Task Force set up a mobile Medication drop off at the Matamoras Airport Park. The department collected 14 pounds of unwanted prescription medication that will be properly disposed of.
We want to keep these drugs from falling in the wrong hands and properly disposing of them is one way to meet this goal.
Unwanted prescription drugs can be dropped off anytime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Eastern Pike Regional Police Department located at 10 Avenue I, Matamoras.
The partnership for a Drug Free America has reported:
- 1 in 5 teens have abused prescription pain medication
- 1 in 5 report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers
- 1 in 10 has abused cough medication
The Eastern Pike Regional Police Department wants to make sure that parents and teenagers know the risks of misusing prescription and over the counter medication. And to provide ways to help prevent it’s abuse.
- When abused, prescription and over the counter drugs can be just as dangerous as illicit drugs. Side effects of prescription drugs and withdrawal from them varies with the drug abused, but common effects include poor concentration, disorientation, apathy, feelings of confusion, addiction, anxiety, hostility and aggression, respiratory depression, dizziness, slurred speech, excessive sweating, nausea and vomiting, tremors, convulsions, lack of energy, increased heart rate and breathing, heart attacks, coma, and death.
- Taking prescription medication for purposes other than what is intended of the medication is a CRIME, and is punishable under Pennsylvania Law.
- Distribution of prescription medication is a CRIME, and will be handled as such.
So the underlying question is: What can I do?
- Start by talking to your children about drugs…it’s not as difficult as you might think.
- Take advantages of the resources available on line and at your local police department.
- Keep all prescription medication hidden or out of reach.
- Explain to teens the consequences of taking un-prescribed medication (for example: Pain killers are made from opioids, the same substance in heroin.)
Drug abuse as a whole is a crime, which affects not only individuals and families, but also communities in general. It is not only our duty as a police department to enforce the laws, but to provide education on the growing concerns of our community and the action that we can take to combat the problem.